EFL receives overwhelming support for safe standing

1 June 2018

As per a record-breaking survey conducted by the EFL, 94% of fans believe they should be able to choose the matchday experience they want, whether that be seated or safe standing in fully licensed areas of the ground.

The survey, which was ran as part of the 'Stand up for Choice' campaign, received over 33,000 responses by fans across the country, the biggest response to an EFL-led survey to date.

The EFL have revealed the following statistics:

- Over two thirds of supporters (69%) would prefer to stand, compared to less than a quarter (22%) who would prefer to sit.

- Standing has also shown to be more popular with younger fans with the highest supporting demographic coming in the 18-34 age groups.

- There is a high demand for the choice to stand across all three divisions, with 94% of Championship supporters and 92% of League One and League Two supporters all in support.

- Nearly half (47%) of all fans said they would attend more games if licensed standing was available.

- There is no material difference between the responses compiled from supporters of the 21 EFL Clubs who currently offer standing accommodation compared to supporters of Clubs who don’t.

The purpose of the campaign is to provide key data and insight on the views of supporters in a debate at Westminster Hall on Monday 25 June.

EFL Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: "We stated at the outset that we wanted this survey to provide Government with a clear indication of the strength of feeling amongst those supporters who attend matches every season. The response could not be clearer.

"Football supporters clearly want the option to stand at football matches and we see absolutely no reason why they should not be allowed the choice to have the matchday experience they want.

"With nearly half of all fans claiming they would attend more games if licensed standing was available, this campaign demonstrates how standing could play a significant role in boosting attendances, particularly with the under 35s demographic, a group of supporters that have a significant number of other options to consider when determining whether they will or will not attend a match.

"With stadium occupancy at 61% in 2017/18, a change in legislation would provide an opportunity to increase revenue from gate receipts."

Peter Daykin, standing co-ordinator at the Football Supporters' Federation, said: "We’d like to thank every supporter who took the time to take part in the ‘Stand up for Choice’ survey, the largest of its kind ever conducted on the issue of standing at football in England and Wales.

"Once again, football supporters have made it abundantly clear that they want the choice between sitting and standing at a match - genuine choice that is provided at horse racing, rugby, music festivals and beyond.

"We urge the Government to listen to those supporters who, along with clubs and safety experts, want to see reform of the currently unworkable all-seater legislation."